North Idaho Sports Banquet: Area's top high school athletes, teams, coaches honored
COEUR d’ALENE — Katy Ryan of Lakeland High and Brooke Jessen of Timberlake won Female High School Athlete of the Year honors; and Gunner Giulio of Coeur d’Alene and Eli Gibson of St. Maries won Male High School Athlete of the Year honors at the 58th North Idaho Sports Banquet on Saturday night at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.
Ryan and Guilio won in the 5A-4A division, and Jessen and Gibson were honored in the 3A-1A division.
Bryan Chase, who guided St. Maries to its first state basketball title in 61 years, shared Boys Coach of the Year honors.
Stacy Smith, who led Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy to its fifth straight state 3A girls soccer title, was named Girls Coach of the Year.
No college awards were given this year, due to seasons being canceled/delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame welcomed four new members Saturday night — Dick Schultz, former Lakeland High, North Idaho (Junior) College and Washington State standout; Ann (Schwenke) Jaworski, former Coeur d’Alene High and University on Montana volleyball standout; and former Idaho Vandal greats Jason Shelt and Robert Young.
Jerry Kramer, the Sandpoint High, University of Idaho and Green Bay Packers great, and a 2018 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was the guest speaker.
GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR — Timberlake basketball (The Tigers went 23-2 and repeated as 3A champions. Only losses were to Coeur d’Alene and beat Lake City. Timberlake won all three games at state by an average of nearly 19 points.)
Other finalists: Coeur d’Alene Charter soccer, Lakeland volleyball, Post Falls girls cross country, Sandpoint swimming, Prairie basketball, Kendrick basketball, Genesee volleyball.
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR — St. Maries basketball (The Lumberjacks went 23-1 on the season, and captured the state title by beating Ambrose 52-50. In that game, St. Maries trailed by five but scored the last seven points of the game to claim the win. It also had a nail-bitter in the semifinals, winning on a last-second 3-pointer. It was the program’s first state title in 61 years.)
Other finalists: Lapwai basketball; Lake City basketball; Sandpoint swimming; Logos cross country.
GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR — Stacy Smith, Coeur d’Alene Charter soccer (Smith led Coeur d’Alene Charter to the state title when it defeated Sugar Salem 1-0 in double overtime. The team outscored the opposition 19-1 at state and the 19 goals are a state Class 3A record. Smith led the team to a 16-1-1 record and won 13 matches by shutout.)
Other finalists: Kelsie Badger, Lakeland volleyball; Matt Miller, Timberlake basketball.
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR — Bryan Chase, St. Maries basketball; and Zachary Eastman, Lapwai basketball (Chase led St. Maries to its first state basketball championship in 61 years. The team went 23-1 and won its state semifinal game on a 3-pointer and then the championship game by scoring the final seven points. Its lone loss of the season was to Lapwai, a team it also defeated. Eastman led the Wildcats to a 20-4 record, but it was a state where the team really made its mark. Lapwai won games by 46, 18 and 22 points on its way to the State 1A Division 1 title and claim the school’s 11th boys’ basketball state championship.
FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
5A-4A — Katy Ryan, Lakeland (Ryan was the selected the 4A Inland Empire League MVP in volleyball and co-MVP in basketball. She helped Lakeland capture the state 4A volleyball championship for the first time in school history. She was named to the Idaho State Volleyball Coaches Association class 4A first team. Katy has committed to play volleyball at Washington State University.)
Other finalists: Skylar Burke, Coeur d’Alene; Madi Symons, Coeur d’Alene; Angela Lassen, Moscow; Hattie Larson, Sandpoint; Addisen Kiefer, Lakeland; Abbey Neff, Lakeland
3A-1A — Brooke Jessen, Timberlake (Jessen was selected as the Intermountain League’s co-MVP for both basketball and volleyball. Jessen helped the basketball team repeat as state 3A champions. Timberlake posted a 23-2 record and in the state championship game Jessen finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists. She has committed to play basketball at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.)
Other finalists: Hailey Cheney, Kellogg; Sydnie Zywina, Orofino; Claira Osborne, Genesee; Rose Steward, Kendrick; Paige Valliere, Clark Fork; Talowa Fallingwater, Mullan; Erin Morgan, Kendrick.
MALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
5A-4A — Gunner Giulio, Coeur d’Alene (Gunnar was a force in football where he earned first-team all-Inland Empire League honors as a running back and also was a second-team All-State selection by the Idaho Statesman. In wrestling, Gunner posted a 36-2 record and was the No. 2 seed at state in the 170 pound class. He won his first two matches by pins and then claimed a 4-1 decision to advance to the finals, where he claimed a 5-3 victory.)
Other finalists: Matthew Whitcomb, Lake City; Riley Siegford, Lakeland; Zach Johnson, Lake City; Cameren Cope, Coeur d’Alene; Kash Lang, Lewiston; Benny Kitchel, Moscow; Tyler Skinner, Moscow.
3A-1A — Eli Gibson, St. Maries (Gibson had his hand in a little bit of everything this school year. In football, he was the Offensive MVP of the Central Idaho League and earned all-first team league honors at both quarterback and linebacker. He also was a second-team selection at linebacker on the Idaho Statesman All-State 2A Team. In basketball, he helped St. Maries win its sixth Central Idaho League title in the last seven years and also helped the program win its first state championship in 60 years. He was named Player of the Year in the Central Idaho League.)
Other finalists: Eli Richards, Bonners Ferry; Brayden Stapleton, Deary; Ty Koepp, Kendrick; Jordan Nortz, Priest River; Luke Trogden, Mullan; Riley Trogden, Mullan.
INDIVIDUAL SPORT AWARD WINNERS
GIRLS SOCCER — Sarah Hines, Coeur d’Alene Charter (Selected MVP of the District I-II League that involved 3A and 2A schools. Scored the game-winning goal in double overtime as Coeur d’Alene Charter defeated Sugar Salem 1-0 to win the Idaho state 3A title. Selected the 3A girls player of the year by the Idaho High School Soccer Coaches Association.)
Other finalists: Abbie Lyman, Coeur d'Alene;Ava Jakich-Kunze, Moscow; Hattie Larson, Sandpoint; Riley Jo Anderson, Coeur d’Alene Charter.
BOYS SOCCER — Aidan O'Halloran, Post Falls; and Zander Moore, Sandpoint (Aiden was selected MVP of the 5A Inland Empire League after helping Post Falls reach the state 5A tournament. He was a first-team all-state 5A selection by the Idaho High School Soccer Coaches Association. Zander was selected MVP of the 4A Inland Empire League after helping Sandpoint reach the state 4A tournament. The Idaho High School Soccer Coaches Association picked Zander to the all-state 4A first team.)
Other finalists: Chris Swider, Coeur d'Alene; Logan Koller, Post Falls; Dylan Parker, Lewiston; Chris Koch, Sandpoint; Daniel Walker, Bonners Ferry.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY — Sammie Wood, Post Falls (Sammie dominated District I-II meets last fall. She claimed the district title and also posted the top time at state among all area runners. She finished sixth in the 5A meet in 18 minutes and 44.41 seconds to help Post Falls to a second-place finish.)
Other finalists: Annastasia Peters, Post Falls; Alahna Lien, Post Falls; Kaley Bohl, Post Falls; Angelyca Chapman, Lake City; Anna Marie Dance, Coeur d’Alene.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY — Nikolai Braedt, Sandpoint (Nikolai posted the top time of all North Idaho runners at the Idaho state meet, covering the course in 16 minutes and 24.41 seconds. He also won the 4A district title and placed 11th at the state 4A meet.)
Other finalists: Brycen Kempton, Post Falls; Alex Peters, Post Falls; Logan Davis, Coeur d’Alene Charter; Jeff Lucas, Sandpoint; Carson Sellers, Timberline.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
5A-4A — Katy Ryan, Lakeland. (Ryan was the MVP of the 4A Inland Empire League and helped Lakeland capture the state 4A championship for the first time in school history. She was named to the Idaho State Volleyball Coaches Association Class 4A first team. Katy has committed to play volleyball at Washington State).
Other finalists: Sarah Wilkey, Coeur d’Alene; Jaya Miller, Lake City; Tanai Jenkins, Lake City; Olivia Cooper, Lakeland; Gabby Hicks, Sandpoint.
3A-1A — Morgan Blazzard, Troy. (A junior, Morgan was a dominating outside hitter, which helped her earn the Whitepine League’s Division 1 Player of the Year. She is a three-time all-state selection and helped Troy to a third-place finish at state last fall.
Other finalists: Hailey Cheney, Kellogg; Brooke Jessen, Timberlake; Sydnie Zywina, Orofino; Rose Steward, Kendrick; Hannah Miller, Highland.
GIRLS SWIMMING — Helen Schumaker, Moscow. (Even though the Idaho state meet was a virtual event with swimmers posting times at their local pools and comparing them across the state, Helen had an excellent state meet. She placed first in both the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle in the 4A meet. She helped Moscow to a third-place finish at state.)
Other finalists: Kate Bokowy, Sandpoint; Kaya Wright, Sandpoint; Natasha Astrauskas, Post Falls; Ally Crossland, Moscow
BOYS SWIMMING — Logan Robillard, Lake City (Also swimming in a virtual meet, Robillard was the only District 1-2 male swimmer to claim an individual title. Logan won the 500 freestyle and followed it up with a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle.)
Other finalists: Lance Mielke, Lake City; Isaac Pimentel, Moscow; Caleb Norling, Sandpoint; Reid Johnson, Moscow; Hayden Leavitt, Sandpoint.
FOOTBALL
5A-4A — Jack Prka, Coeur d'Alene; and Jonah Elliss, Moscow (Prka earned several postseason honors, including being named the MVP of the Inland Empire League and a first-team selection to the All-Idaho Class 5A Team. Prka will continue his football career at Carroll College. Elliss comes from a strong football family with his father being an assistant coach at the University of Idaho. Jonah graduated from Moscow High during the winter break and is currently enrolled at the University of Utah to get an early start on his football career with the Utes.)
Other finalists: Tommy Hauser, Post Falls; Kaden Cripps, Post Falls; Zach Johnson, Lake City; Cameren Cope, Coeur d'Alene; Gunner Giulio, Coeur d'Alene; Jackson Kohal, Coeur d'Alene;Parker Pettit, Sandpoint; Tag Benefield, Sandpoint; Wes Benefield, Sandpoint; Chad Redinger, Moscow
3A-1A — Caleb Frei, Grangeville; and Eli Gibson, St. Maries (Frei was selected both the Player of the Year and the Defensive MVP of the Central Idaho League. He played both running back and linebacker for the Bulldogs and earned second-team honors on the All-Idaho 2A team. Gibson was the Offensive MVP of the Central Idaho League and earned all-first team league honors at both quarterback and linebacker. He also was a second-team selection at linebacker on the All-Idaho 2A team.
Other finalists: Luke Fortin, sr., Timberlake; Dean Johnson, Prairie; Brody Hasselstrom, Prairie; Titus Yearout, Lapwai; Ty Koepp, Kendrick; Luke Trogden, Mullan/St. Regis; Adam Ball, Mullan/St. Regis
GIRLS BASKETBALL
5A-4A — Skylar Burke, Coeur d’Alene (Burke was the Player of the Year in the 5A Inland Empire League. The junior averaged 16.6 points and 10 rebounds per game at the Idaho state 5A Tournament and helped Coeur d’Alene to a fourth-place finish.)
Other finalists: Madi Symons, Coeur d’Alene; Brooklyn Rewers, Lake City; Kaylee Banks, Sandpoint;Katy Ryan, Lakeland; Hattie Larson, Sandpoint
3A-1A — Brooke Jessen and Taryn Soumas, Timberlake (The two shared the Intermountain League MVP award and were first-team all-league selections in helping the team post a 23-2 record and repeat as the Idaho state 3A champions. Jessen has committed to play at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. She has 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the state championship game while Soumas led all scorers with 23 points, hitting 7 of 10 shots. Taryn will continue her career at the College of Idaho this fall.)
Other finalists: Camden Barger, Grangeville; Claire Osborne, Genesee; Erin Morgan, Kendrick; Talowa Fallingwater, Mullan
BOYS BASKETBALL
5A-4A — Caden McLean, Post Falls (McLean was the co-MVP of the 5A Inland Empire League. He was named the best high school basketball player in Idaho prior to the start of the season by MaxPreps. He averaged close to 20 points a game this year.)
Other finalists: Kolton Mitchell, Lake City; Jack Kiesbuy, Lake City; George Forsmann, Lewiston; Colin Roos, Sandpoint; Noah Haaland, Lakeland.
3A-1A — Eli Gibson, St. Maries; and Titus Yearout, Lapwai (Eli Gibson, St. Maries. Gibson helped St. Maries win its sixth Central Idaho League title in the last seven years and also helped the program win its first state championship in 61 years. He was named Player of the Year in the Central Idaho League. Yearout, a junior guard, was named the MVP of the 1A Whitepine League and also was selected Class 1A Player of the Year on the All-Idaho team. He led the state in scoring at 24 points per game and also averaged 8.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.1 steals and 1.2 blocks and led the Wildcats to the program’s 11th state title.
Other finalists: Brayden Stapleton, Deary; Kenyon Spotted Horse, Lakeside; Trentyn Kreager, Priest River; Logan Jerome, Kellogg
WRESTLING
All State champions
5A-4A — Drew Roberts and Gunner Giulio, Coeur d’Alene (Roberts posted a perfect 19-0 record this year and captured the Idaho state 5A title at 152 pounds. At state he won his first two matches by pin and then a 16-5 decision. In the championship match, he claimed a tight 3-2 victory. Giulio posted a 36-2 record and was the No. 2 seed at state in the 170 pound class. He won his first two matches by pins and then claimed a 4-1 decision to advance to the finals, where he claimed a 5-3 victory.)
Other finalists: Travis Barnhart, Post Falls; Lane Reardon, Post Falls; Matthew Whitcomb, Lake City; Rylan Rogers, Coeur d’Alene; Alyssa Randles, Coeur d’Alene; Riley Siegford, Lakeland.
3A-1A — Dylan Sotin, St. Maries; and Gabe Prather, Potlatch (Sotin went 42-1 at 120 pounds and captured the 2A state title. At state he was the third seed in his weight class and won his first two matches by pins. He then scored a 7-3 win in the semifinals and upset the top seed with a 5-3 win for the championship. Prather went 34-1 and captured the 2A title at 160 pounds. Gabe was the No. 1 seed and scored three straight pins before claiming a 5-4 victory in the championship match.)
Other finalists: Eli Richards, Bonners Ferry; Kadence Beck, Grangeville.
HAGADONE CHARACTER AWARDS
This is a new award for high school athletes this year that was started in part because of the lack of spring sports in 2020. The Hagadone High Character Award goes to a female and male athlete from each school. It is named after Duane Hagadone, who founded the North Idaho Hall of Fame 58 years ago. In defining the award, it recognizes a student-athlete who excelled in the classroom and as a teammate; has outstanding work ethic and integrity, displays sportsmanship and true character in all walks of life, and is just an all-around good individual. Civic and community involvement is a plus. These are winners based on nominations the committee received.
FEMALE CHARACTER AWARD
Mayalu Spencer, Lapwai; Isabel “Izzy” Burns, Moscow; Hannah Tweit, Kendrick; Grace Tiegs, Nezperce; Hannah West, Timberline; Emma Pinkerton, Bonners Ferry; Sarah Michalski, Bonners Ferry; Kiley Cutler, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy; Abby Tiller, Kootenai; Lily Tweedy, Lake City; Katy Ryan, Lakeland; Martina Rivera, Lakeside; Taryn Soumas, Timberlake; Hattie Larson, Sandpoint; Camille Neuder, Sandpoint; Martha Smith, Clearwater Valley; Ellea Uhlenkott, Prairie; Sarah Wilkey, Coeur d’Alene; Shayne Sullivan, Kellogg; Talowa Fallingwater, Mullan; Kirsten Miller, St. Maries; Paige Valliere, Clark Fork; Makia Fitzmorris, Priest River; Emily Proctor, Deary; Jenna Carpenter, Lewiston; Isabelle Raasch, Troy; Mya Barger, Kamiah.
MALE CHARACTER AWARD
AJ Ellenwood, Lapwai; Barrett Abendroth, Moscow; Maison Anderson, Kendrick; Ryen Zenner, Nezperce; Chase Hunter, Timberline; Daniel Walker, Bonners Ferry; Jordan Gallegos, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy; Carter McGann, Kootenai; Matthew Whitcomb, Lake City; Riley Siegford, Lakeland; Tucker Sanchez, Lakeside; Ryder Paslay, Timberlake; Darren Bailey, Sandpoint; Ridge Shown, Clearwater Valley; Dean Johnson, Prairie; Jack Prka, Coeur d’Alene; Blaine Gooder, Kellogg; Riley Trogden, Mullan; Will Farkas, Wallace; Dylan Sotin, St. Maries; Wesley Simko, Clark Fork; Travis Mathews, Priest River; London Kirk, Deary; Kash Lang, Lewiston; Elijah Phillis, Troy; Jace Sams, Kamiah.
